Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Wayne Russell and Officer Anthony Mims were shot and killed when they were ambushed while responding to a call.
The suspect, who was intoxicated and had a history of mental illness, had called the police at approximately 12:45 p.m. and asked to speak with FBI agents. The suspect then called back minutes later and asked for the police if there were no FBI agents available. When the officers arrived at the scene, they were ambushed and shot several times.
The suspect opened fire on Officer Mims when he arrived at the scene, shooting him several times through the windshield of his patrol car. Sergeant Russell then arrived at the scene and was shot as he attempted to exit his patrol car. Sergeant Russell was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds a short time later.
The suspect surrendered at the scene and was taken into custody. He was charged with six counts of capital murder. On July 26th, 2007, he pleaded guilty to five counts of capital murder and two counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle. He was sentenced to life without parole.
On August 13, 2007, the suspect was found unconscious in his cell and rushed to a hospital where he died a week later. The autopsy report stated that he died from complications of bronchopneumonia.
Sergeant Russell had served with the Athens Police Department for 19 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-48F513B9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Russell gave the Athens Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Russell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Larry Wayne Russell is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Athens Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Larry Wayne Russell's cause is highlighted.
How Larry Wayne Russell Compares
Offender Outcome
Life without parole
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Larry Wayne Russell is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Larry Wayne Russell was killed by rifle; 7.62 mm.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Athens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
